Esther Mayinza
Born: 12/1/1997
Admitted: 6/24/2000

Esther was our very first child to be apart of Answering For The Children. Esther came to us at 2 ½ years of age. Her father died in 1998 and her mother died in January of 2000. Esther was staying with an uncle who could no longer provide for her. Her condition was deteriorating rapidly and he decided to get help from the Probation Office. The Probation Office assessed his situation and made the decision to hand over the care of Esther to us. Esther came when the AFTC home was “incomplete”. We still had some scrubbing to do of the floors and walls before we could have anyone live in the home. So the first few days, Esther stayed in our home with us. Her first night was very traumatic for her. She screamed and cried and even bit me twice before she finally settled down to sleep. I didn’t get angry with her because I knew it had to be frightening to be removed from the people you’ve always known to a foreign environment with strangers. It took her awhile to get used but after the home was ready and more children arrived, she was ok.

Esther loves playing rough and tough games along with the boys. She is a bright and responsible girl, helping out the other sisters and brothers with problems and performs well in school. Esther was 3rd out of 19 in the 5th grade with 85% and above in every subject. She was given an award at school for her performance and being the most active student in the entire school. Esther’s favorite color is blue. She is always one of the first to clean up a mess or try to help the “aunties” in cleaning up. In Sunday school, she likes to help pass out papers. She's also enjoys teaching the younger ones in Sunday school and as they all sit and listen to her captivated as she teaches them.

We thank the Lord for giving her a wonderful intellect and also a heart of compassion. When you think of AFTC in Uganda, remember to pray for Esther, that the Lord will lead and guide her all her days in the direction He would have her.